Paul George will decline his player option for the 2018-19 NBA season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Sources on ESPN: Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George informs franchise that he is not opting into final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. https://t.co/skRquzhnjb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2018
George would've made $20.7 million in the final year of his contract with the Thunder. By declining his player option, he's eligible to sign a five-year, $176 million extension with the franchise this offseason. George also has the option of signing a "one-plus-one" with Oklahoma City, Wojnarowski explains, giving him the option of being an unrestricted free agent again next offseason.
Other than the Thunder, the Lakers, Rockets and 76ers are among the teams expected to pursue the five-time All-Star now that he's a free agent.
George is coming off of a season in which he averaged 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game with the Thunder. He made the second-most 3-pointers in the league and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He's considered to be one of the best shooters and one of the best defenders available in free agency.